Vancouver Whitecaps FC women draw Victoria Highlanders FC 1-1

July 8, 20126:04PM PDT

Joshua Nanavaty

RICHMOND, BC - On a beautiful sunny afternoon at Minoru Park Oval in Richmond, BC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Victoria Highlanders FC played to an entertaining 1-1 draw in front of 677 fans in the 'Caps final home match of the season.

Vancouver applied some early offensive pressure, but Victoria were able to weather the storm. The best chance came at 22 minutes off a Danielle Johnson cross that found Demi Stokes at the edge of the six-yard box. Unfortunately for the ‘Caps left fullback, her volley went straight into the hands of Victoria goalkeeper Tanya Jones.

Highlanders FC opened the scoring for the visitors against the run of play. Off a Liz Hansen corner, defender Nina Anderson rose above the ’Caps defence and put the ball past goalkeeper Gurveen Clair on 38 minutes.

The Blue and White had a chance to draw even just before the half. Johnson busted down the right flank and put a shot on goal that caused problems for Jones. Striker Mele French desperately tried to get a boot on the loose ball, but Highlanders FC were able to clear the danger.

Whitecaps FC got the second half started in fine fashion, as Washington State product Brandi Vega chipped in a loose ball past Jones and into the back of the net to even the score in the 53rd minute. The goal was Vega’s first of the season and first as a member of Whitecaps FC.

‘Caps captain Jenny Jeffers had the best chance to push the Blue and White ahead at 76 minutes. However, her header sailed just wide of the far post. In total, the ‘Caps outshot Victoria 30-5 and forced Jones to make 14 saves.

Whitecaps FC will now wrap up their season with a trip to The Centennial State. Next Friday night, the ‘Caps visit Colorado Rush and two days later, on Sunday, July 15, the ’Caps play Colorado Rapids to finish off their 2012 W-League season.